It's become a common sight. People walking into coffee shops or waiting next to escalators with a can and pictures of cripples and orphans, asking for donation. In fact there are so many of them that sometimes you question their honesty. I've given up donating. Sorry to admit, but I've once ended up with only a RM10 note, walking around a mall, after chipping in to a foundation for the retarded kids.

I just got back from lunch. As I was eating, I was interrupted by a woman with a can and some pictures pasted on it. I declined. So did the family of 4 in the table in front of me. The couple next to my table did not even look at the lady. The lady walked around the coffee shop and I should think she didn't collect a cent.

Then, the lady walked up to two Indian guys sitting at the table at the far corner, wearing sweat soaked patched shirts and soiled shoes, both of them hurriedly dug their pockets for some cash to be put in the can.

I was embarrassed. The couple that had earlier ignored the donation lady left their table and I noticed that one of them were wearing Levi's jeans.

I always thought that it's our choice to donate or not and no one should comment on our choices. But are we making the right choices?